more stats
21.7 miles
Distance
1,792 ft
Climb
-1,446 ft
Descent
03:37:17
Avg time
348 ft
Altitude change
7,491 ft
Altitude min
7,945 ft
Altitude max
7,596 ft
Altitude start
7,946 ft
Altitude end
0.3%
Grade
-34.3%
Grade max
26.6%
Grade min
11 miles
Distance climb
9 miles
Distance down
2 miles
Distance flat
03:37:17
Avg time

Rainbow Rim Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Kaibab Plateau
    Jacob Lake, Arizona
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #46546 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #105474 in Trail Running
    • #102250 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    spring, summer, autumn
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    USFS

Singletrack along the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Trail contours a series of drainages through the forest poking out to a few canyon overlooks along the way. Recently the south end has been extended approximately four miles with the ultimate goal of adding more trail in the future to hopefully make the trail a loop.The new section is more twisty than the original alignment with no major climbs.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 0 rides
  •  
All
  • 16 rides
  • Last: Jun 4, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Rainbow Rim Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 30, 2026 @ 7:06am (America/Phoenix)
May 30, 2026
Major erosion (major ruts or slumping, large boulders and roots exposed due to erosion)o gfthe river t
Sep 1, 2025 @ 11:21am
Sep 1, 2025
 Trail is CLOSED south of Timp Pt. All areas south of FS271 are closed due to the Dragon Bravo...
Jun 11, 2024 @ 10:22am
Jun 11, 2024
 Rode it 6/7-8/24. Great shape, all clear and dry. Total of 2 deadfall between Timp and Parissawampitts Points.
May 13, 2024 @ 3:30am
May 13, 2024
 Trail became impassable. Downfall, some snow patches, and 1 million pinecones to get stuck between tire and frame.
Sep 17, 2023 @ 6:36pm
Sep 17, 2023
 Blue/intermediate level biking because of the elevation, some limited steep sections and the rock bed on the trails. Get good maps to get in to...
more »
Status:
on May 30, 2026
Avg: 4.21 (8 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
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Slope Aspect
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to rainbow-rim trailhead (36.418730, -112.367020)

        Photos

        78 more »
        762 |
        Oct 23, 2014 @ 11:56am
        Oct 23, 2014
        732 |
        Aug 29, 2010 @ 9:12am
        Aug 29, 2010
        265 |
        Jun 1, 2022 @ 8:50am
        Jun 1, 2022
        348 |
        Oct 12, 2021 @ 10:13pm
        Oct 12, 2021

        Videos

        3 more »
        youtuber Mountain Biking the Grand Canyon on...
        10:06 | 927 | Aug 24, 2020 , Jacob Lake
        youtuber Grand Canyon MTB at North Rim - Rainbow Rim Trail
        16:37 | 328 | Feb 26, 2024 , Jacob Lake
        The Rainbow Rim Trail - North Rim of the Grand...
        9:13 | 716 | Nov 13, 2021 , Jacob Lake

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Routes with this trail

        110
        Sublime Kaibab Loop
        ★ 5.0 • 160 miles • 14,913 ft • 3 • Loop •
        Best done as a CCW loop from Jacob Lake over 3 days. The first half of the ride is mostly forest roads,...
        78
        Rainbow Rim Trail to Parissawampitts Point
        21 miles • 1,199 ft • 1 • Point to Point •
        Can also be completed as an out-and-back.
        117
        AES: Kaibab140
        144 miles • 12,275 ft • 8 • Loop •
        The main loop starts at and follows mostly dirt roads to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. From there the...

        18 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Rim

        ▼ Where is Rainbow Rim located?
        Rainbow Rim is located in Kaibab Plateau, Jacob Lake, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Kaibab Plateau trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 36.41873, -112.36702.
        ▼ How hard is Rainbow Rim?
        Rainbow Rim is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 0.3%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Rainbow Rim?
        Rainbow Rim has 1,792 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,446 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 7,491 ft to 7,945 ft.
        ▼ Is Rainbow Rim a point to point trail?
        Rainbow Rim is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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